Waste Product From Beer Brewing Process Prevents Cavities

Hops leaves discarded during the brewing of beer contain healthful antioxidants that may be used to prevent cavities and gum disease, a Japanese study finds. Extracts from hops leaves (called bracts) stopped the bacteria responsible for harmful dental conditions from sticking  to surfaces and prevented the release of some bacterial toxins. The researchers used a laboratory technique called chromatography to find three new polyphenol compounds, one already-known compound identified for the first time in plants, 20 compounds found for the first time in hops, and many healthful proanthocyanidins.